Sleep is an incredibly important part of our daily life and plays a huge role in our well-being and general health. When we close our eyes and drift into sleep, our body begins to work to support a healthy brain function and maintain our physical health. After a good night sleep not only do we wake up feeling alert, refreshed and ready for the day ahead, our body is empowered to face any physical and mental challenges we might present it with.
The Power of Sleep
Sleep has amazing health benefits and super-powers. How much and how well you sleep has a big impact on how healthy you are now and in the future.
Sleep contributes to a healthy immune system; in fact, your immune system relies on sleep to remain healthy. Whilst sleeping, your body replenishes the white blood cells that attack bacteria and viruses, helping you fight off any illness and stay strong and healthy. If you are recovering from surgery your body is working hard to heal itself so your white blood cells are vitally important; if you are lacking in sleep this may compromise your body’s ability to fight infection or inflammation following your surgery and hinder a smooth recovery.
If you are preparing for surgery, it makes sense to be in the best possible shape pre-surgery so your body can face the physical challenge ahead; getting plenty of good quality sleep will empower your body to be surgery ready and make a great recovery.
Quality and Quantity
It’s important to not just sleep but sleep well.
During the various stages of sleep, different processes take place that all go towards strength building. One of which is your brain triggering the release of a hormone associated with increased levels of growth; aiding tissue regeneration and repair, this is so beneficial to wound recovery following surgery. Good sleep gives our body the energy it needs to heal and repair itself. During sleep our blood pressure dips, giving our heart muscle a rest, lowering the chance of high blood pressure or heart disease. When tired from not enough sleep, people tend to over-eat and over time this can have longer term effects on your health; sleep levels your hunger hormones and helps regulate eating habits.
We generally need 7-8 hours of regular sleep, but if our sleep is disrupted or cut short, then the body doesn’t get the opportunity to complete all the benefits gained from a good sleep and can hinder your ability recover. We talk to many patients about the importance of sleep and encourage you all to take as much care as possible prior to and after surgery. For you to get back to your pre-surgery routine and start to enjoy the long-term effect of your cosmetic surgery, taking the enough time to rest, recover and renew is essential; a smooth recovery process with plenty of rest and sleep will put you on the right path to start enjoying the new you.
Tricks to a Good Snooze
We all feel that we must keep up with life’s fast pace and keep going no matter how we may feel; slowing down can sometimes feel like a negative thing to do. With the distractions of modern life: social media, work and family pressures it can be hard to “switch off”. However, finding time for a regular rest and sleep pattern in your routine has incredible health benefits.
Here are 4 tips to help you enjoy the health benefits of a good sleep:
1. Stick to a regular sleep schedule and bedtime ritual; your body-clock will find it easier to wind down and sleep if you keep to regular sleep hours.
2. Exercise daily and keeping active can help you sleep well, gentle exercise like Yoga, Pilates or a gentle dog walk.
3. Creating a restful environment, for example, your bedroom temperature, sound and light should be calm, darker and warm. Invest in a good quality mattress and pillow to guarantee your comfort.
4. Avoid late night caffeine or alcohol and turn off all phones, tablets and other gadgets that make you up rather than settle you down.
A well-rested person is more likely to have a speedy healing process and be able to deal with the stresses of recovery. Feel refreshed and energised to start enjoying the new you at the start of a new year.
If you would like to find out about any of the cosmetic surgery procedures or which cosmetic procedure is right for you, please get in touch or visit our website click here.